Bredina Springs - New Quarry close to STL - 5/22/11

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fleep

Contributor
Messages
78
Reaction score
1
Location
Saint Louis (err, St. Louiee, Screwy!)
# of dives
500 - 999
Bredina Springs Dive Report - 5/22/11


DIRECTIONS:

1hr+ North of St. Louis

Google Maps: 39.451981, -90.506922 to White Hall, IL - Google Maps

Coordinates: N39.454210, W90.504152 Set your GPS to Hours format (e.g. ddd.ddddd°)

GPS: Program GPS to White Hall, Illinois. At the main town intersection follow sign left to Hillview after about 4miles you will cross a railroad track and Bredina is on your right.

Directions from STL: 170N > 270E > 367N towards Alton > Continue 67N Pass Jerseyville and on to White Hall > Left at the 4way stop follow the sign to Hillview > about 4 miles in you will cross the railroad tracks. The entrance is on your right, marked by a small cloth dive flag.


REPORT:

Bredina is a great new asset for the local dive community. With the closure of the "Dive-Stop", their opening is very timely for STL based divers. The owners are moving forward rapidly with development. Access is a breeze, they have nice gravel roads passable by any type of vehicle. There are covered setup areas with both picnic tables and dive gear tables. They have a compressor on site and offer air fills. The training building is well underway and will be equipped with 2 or 3 classrooms. There are running water bathrooms and hot showers. They have excellent step off docks and walk out stairs. Currently there are a few underwater attractions including a short schoolbus, cabin cruiser, small airplanes, truck, quarry shacks, training platforms, and the quarry boasts some nice wall dives and a deep section that goes to about 110'. This mine was abandoned only 7 years ago so there are many submerged trees along the western wall that are fun to navigate through. The visability, as expected, was not that great but it may improve once we are out of the rain season. Temperatures are posted on their site and will be similar to any lake or quarry in the midwest. They have a website, Bredina Springs | Bredina Springs is a beautiful 12 acre dive quarry in Hillview, Illinois. Central Illinois answer to diving!, which they update regularly with their calendar and the quarry conditions. Make sure to check the calendar as they are sometimes closed on weekends for special occasions. If the calendar says they are open - they will be open. Ultimately they plan to open up for camping and to host some special annual events. There are 2 contact phone numbers listed and they are great about getting back to you via telephone or messages sent through their online form so reach out to them if you have any questions.

In short, it is a great place for divers of all levels and especially for instructors who need a place to hold certification dives and classes. The owners, Jess and Christina, are great hosts and they have invested a lot of time and resources in this endeavor so go on out, show your support, and have a great dive!
 
A friend and I are planning to head to Bredina this weekend. Has anyone been there recently who can tell me how the visibility is as this is not listed on the website? Thanks
 
I'm planning on Saturday. The viz has improved to so-so: it seems to be clearing up slowly but steadily.
 
We just got back from Bewdina and the work the owners are putting into the place are wonderful. They are really moving forward in an effort to make this a premier place for diving near St. Louis and Springfield IL. If anyone in these areas is looking for a great place to check out stop by and have a few dives. Your patronage will hopefully help the owners to continue the improvements.

Thanks

James
 
We just got back from Bewdina and the work the owners are putting into the place are wonderful. They are really moving forward in an effort to make this a premier place for diving near St. Louis and Springfield IL. If anyone in these areas is looking for a great place to check out stop by and have a few dives. Your patronage will hopefully help the owners to continue the improvements.

Thanks

James


James is right: the place is shaping up nicely and the viz is improving. I'm there just about every weekend solo, so ping me if you're looking for a buddy.
 

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